Protesters Call Government to 'Tell the Truth' About the Health of Hugo Chavez

CARACAS, Venezuela – Once again hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Venezuela's capital demanding the government provide complete details about the health of ailing President Hugo Chávez.

Protesters waving Venezuelan flags chanted "Tell the Truth!" while marching through eastern Caracas on Sunday as they accused government officials of keeping from the public a full account of Chávez's condition.

At the same time, Chávez supporters staged their own rally elsewhere in the city.

"They don't tell us the truth," complained Mildred Moreau, a 64-year-old woman who said Chávez isn't healthy enough to govern the country. "We feel that they are trying to trick us."

The protest was staged a day after Vice President Nicolas Maduro said Chávez has been receiving chemotherapy while recovering from a severe respiratory infection.

Chávez underwent cancer-related surgery on Dec. 11 in Cuba and has not been seen or heard from since, except for several "proof of life" photos released Feb. 15 before he returned to Venezuela.

Officials have sent mixed signals about Chávez's condition, sometimes saying he's recovering and at other times saying he's battling for his life.

Sunday's marchers joined university students who have chained themselves together near a Supreme Court office while also demanding a full account of Chavez's health and urging justices decide if he's healthy enough to remain in office.

"We are going to stay here until they tell the truth, until they give an explanation about his state of health and say if he's in a condition to govern," said Johan Gomez, a 23-year-old university student with chains wrapped around his arms and waist.

On the other side of the city, government supporters gathered in front of a stage to listen to pro-Chávez musicians and demonstrate their support for the socialist leader.

"Here is the youth that represents the future of the fatherland," said pro-Chávez governor Tareck El Aissami.